Appetite control and exercise: Does the timing of exercise play a role?

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Nutritional science
• Chronic disease management

Background:

• Multidisciplinary strategies combining diet and physical activity are key for managing chronic diseases like obesity.
• The timing of exercise, relative to the time of day and meals, is an emerging factor influencing health outcomes.
• Existing research highlights exercise timing's impact on glycemia, sleep, and body composition, but its effect on appetite remains unclear.

Discussion:

• This paper explores how exercise timing affects energy intake, appetite, and food reward.
• Morning exercise, particularly before lunch, may reduce overall daily energy intake without compensatory eating.
• Optimizing energy balance requires considering exercise's timing (morning/afternoon/evening) and its position relative to meals (pre/post).

Key Insights:

• Exercise timing is a critical, yet understudied, variable in energy balance regulation.
• Morning exercise close to lunch shows potential for reducing subsequent energy intake.
• Both the time of day and meal proximity influence exercise's impact on appetite and energy consumption.

Outlook:

• Further studies are crucial to elucidate the precise effects of exercise timing on appetite and energy intake.
• Investigating optimal combinations of exercise characteristics (intensity, duration, modality) alongside timing is recommended.
• Understanding exercise timing can enhance strategies for appetite control and chronic disease management.